Was Amsterdam WorldPride 2026 THE best gay event EVER?

Absolutely!

We've been lucky enough to experience some of the world's biggest and best LGBTQ+ events over the past 17 years together. From Madrid Pride and Berlin Pride to Sydney WorldPride, London Pride and beyond, we've always thought we'd seen the very best our community had to offer.

Then Amsterdam WorldPride happened.

For 2 unforgettable weeks, the Dutch capital became the epicentre of the LGBTQ+ world. The canals filled with rainbow-covered boats, the streets buzzed with millions of people, and somehow the city still managed to feel warm, welcoming and effortlessly inclusive. Then there were the moments none of us saw coming…

Madonna…Kylie…TOGETHER!

…and we're still not over it.

What made it even more special was that this wasn't just a parade or a handful of big parties. The entire city embraced WorldPride. From museums and cafés to hotels, trams, canal boats…even the rainbow-coloured baggage carousel at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Everyone was welcoming our LGBTQ+ family. It didn't feel like Amsterdam was merely hosting WorldPride. It felt like Amsterdam was WorldPride!

This is why we think Amsterdam WorldPride wasn't just an incredible Pride, but the best gay event we've ever been to!

Why Amsterdam WorldPride felt different from every other Pride we've attended

We've always believed that the best Pride celebrations are about far more than headline acts, parties and parades. They're about how a city makes you feel. And that's exactly where Amsterdam WorldPride stood apart.

From the moment we landed at Schiphol and spotted the rainbow-coloured baggage carousel, it was obvious this wasn't going to be business as usual. Everywhere we went, WorldPride was impossible to miss. Rainbow flags flew from historic canal houses, cafés proudly displayed Pride decorations, museums hosted special exhibitions, and even the city's trams became moving celebrations of LGBTQ+ visibility. It felt as though every corner of Amsterdam had decided to join the party.

What impressed us most was how natural it all felt. Nothing seemed forced or staged for tourists. Whether we were chatting with locals, ordering coffee, hopping on a ferry, or wandering through the Jordaan, there was a genuine sense that the city was proud to be welcoming millions of LGBTQ+ visitors from around the world.

We've attended enough Pride events to know that some can end up feeling like little more than a parade followed by a weekend of parties. Amsterdam was the complete opposite. The celebrations spilled into every neighbourhood, every canal and every conversation. For two unforgettable weeks, it didn't feel like Pride had come to Amsterdam. It felt like Amsterdam had become Pride.

Madonna… Kylie… TOGETHER! I mean…

As if Amsterdam WorldPride wasn't already spectacular enough, someone somehow managed to convince Madonna and Kylie Minogue to share a stage. My little teen gay heart EXPLODED! We're talking about the two BIGGEST gay icons on the planet… PERFORMING TOGETHER!… at WorldPride 🙂

And it wasn't just Madonna and Kylie. Throughout the fortnight, Amsterdam welcomed an incredible line-up of LGBTQ+ icons and international stars, including Joss Stone, Olly Alexander, Lion Babe, Diana King, The Blessed Madonna, Honey Dijon, Paris Hilton and Bebe Rexha. Wherever we turned, there seemed to be another unforgettable concert, DJ set or surprise appearance.

The Canal Parade is the most unique Pride parade in the world

Forget everything you think you know about Pride parades. In Amsterdam, the parade doesn't march through the streets. It floats through the city's iconic canals.

Watching more than 80 beautifully decorated boats cruise past centuries-old canal houses, each packed with music, dancing, and nonstop energy, is unlike anything we've experienced anywhere else. Instead of lining sidewalks, everyone gathers along bridges, canal walls, and waterfront cafés, turning the entire city into one massive celebration.

It's uniquely Amsterdam, completely unforgettable, and one of those experiences every LGBTQ+ traveler should witness at least once.

Epic parties, epic people

The gay scene of Amsterdam is so much fun at the best of times. During Pride? It's on another level… The parties taking place around the city are phenomenal. Rapido, FunHouse, Universe, Damage, and countless other events kept us dancing until the early hours alongside thousands of gays from every corner of the globe. Whether you're into circuit, techno, pop, drag, or something in between, there was a party for every taste and every tribe. The energy was electric, the production was world-class, and somehow every night seemed to outdo the last.

But what we'll remember most isn't the music or the confetti. It's the people. The warm conversations with locals, the volunteers who kept everything running with huge smiles, the strangers who became friends, and the overwhelming feeling that everyone belonged. There was no pretension, no cliques, no feeling of being an outsider. Just millions of LGBTQ+ people and allies celebrating together.

Stay somewhere that's Travel Proud

When we travel, where we stay matters just as much as where we go. As LGBTQ+ travelers, there's something reassuring about knowing your hotel understands the importance of making every guest feel genuinely welcome.

That's exactly what Travel Proud by Booking.com is all about. Hotels displaying the Travel Proud badge have completed inclusive hospitality training designed to help staff better understand the experiences and challenges LGBTQ+ travelers can face, creating a warmer, more welcoming stay for everyone.

Today, there are more than 150,000 Travel Proud properties across 160+ countries and almost 20,000 destinations, making it easier than ever to find accommodations where you can simply relax and be yourself.

And it doesn't stop there. Booking.com has also introduced a Travel Proud filter, so you can quickly search for LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations around the world. It's a small feature that can make a big difference, especially when you're visiting somewhere new and want the confidence of knowing you'll receive a warm welcome from the moment you check in.

Our top tips for experiencing Amsterdam during Pride

After an unforgettable time in Amsterdam, here are our biggest takeaways for getting the most out of the city during Pride:

• Book everything early: Hotels, flights, and parties sell out months in advance. The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have. Naturally, we recommend you check out our guide to the best gay hotels in Amsterdam.
• Don't bother renting a bike: We know everyone says you should, but honestly, we don't think it's worth it. Most of the main sites, gay bars and clubs are within a 20-minute walk. Anything further afield you can easily reach by Metro or Uber.
• The Canal Parade is not optional! If you only experience one gay event in your life, make it this one. We've never seen another Pride parade quite like it.
• Pack comfortable shoes: You're going to be doing a lot of walking in Amsterdam, easily clocking up 20,000+ steps a day. Trust us, your feet will thank you.
• Take to the water: If your budget allows, book a canal cruise during Pride week. Seeing Amsterdam from the water gives you a completely different perspective and makes you appreciate why the Canal Parade is so special.
• Allow time to simply wander: Some of our favorite Amsterdam memories happened when we weren't following a plan. Explore the canals, duck down side streets, stop for a drink by the water, and let the city surprise you.

So… was Amsterdam WorldPride the best gay event ever?

Absolutely!

We've asked ourselves that question countless times since returning home, and we keep coming back to the same answer.

It wasn't just the spectacular Canal Parade. Or Madonna and Kylie sharing a stage. Or the world-class parties. Or the millions of LGBTQ+ people who travelled from every corner of the globe to celebrate together.

It was the feeling.

The feeling that an entire city had embraced our community. The feeling of walking through streets where rainbow flags weren't just decorations but symbols of genuine welcome. The feeling that, for two unforgettable weeks, LGBTQ+ people weren't simply accepted, they were celebrated.

We've been fortunate enough to experience some truly incredible Pride events around the world, and every one of them holds a special place in our hearts. But Amsterdam WorldPride was different. Bigger. Warmer. More inclusive. More unforgettable.

If you've never experienced Pride in Amsterdam, put it at the very top of your bucket list. And if you were lucky enough to be there with us this year, we're pretty sure you'll understand exactly why we think it wasn't just the best WorldPride we've ever attended.

It was the best gay event we've ever experienced!

Why should you trust our Amsterdam WorldPride guide?

We've been fortunate enough to attend some of the world's biggest Pride celebrations since we met in 2009. Amsterdam WorldPride genuinely blew us away. This guide is based on our first-hand experience of WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, as well as the many trips we've taken to Amsterdam over the past two decades.

Here's why you can trust us:

• We've attended Pride celebrations across the world, including Sydney, Madrid, Berlin, London, Barcelona, Bristol, Vancouver, and many, many more.
• We've been full-time LGBTQ+ travel creators since 2013, inspiring millions of gay travelers through Nomadic Boys.
• We're the authors of “Out in the World: The Gay Guide to Travelling with Pride”.
• Every recommendation, tip, and opinion in this guide comes from our own experience of Amsterdam WorldPride.
• We only recommend events, hotels, and experiences that we genuinely loved and would happily do again.

Read more travel adventures like this in our book!

We've published our very own gay travel book called, ‘Out in the World'. It has all our practical safety tips, first-hand advice, and travel stories from some of our favorite destinations.

We hope it inspires you to have a fun and safe trip!

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